Time, Money Saving Apps for Summer Travel

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Rich DeMuro
Jun. 24, 2013

Summer vacationing can get expensive, and if you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to maximize on rewards programs for traveling on the cheap.

Brian Kelly, better known as The Points Guy, shows us his favorite apps for inexpensive and hassle-free travel in this month’s Apps to Know.

When traveling abroad, roaming fees can go through the roof, especially when your kids are texting friends from back home.

Brian’s solution? Viber. It lets you call and text friends for free, no matter what device you’re on. If you’re lost in a foreign city, the app even allows you to send your location to anyone so that they’ll be able to come and find you.

Brian’s next pick is My TSA–a simple click on the app will tell you which security checkpoint has the shortest wait time. My TSA can save you thirty minutes to an hour of waiting in line, and these days, time is money.

Most airlines have a mobile app, but JetBlue’s goes above and beyond. JetBlue Mobile lets you view the DIREC TV in-flight schedule so you can watch your favorite shows, as well as tune in to a variety of channels on SirusXM.

You can even get a sneak peek at the snacks being served on your flight. The app also has a “pick me up” feature that will let you send your itinerary to whoever is picking you up at your arrival airport.

When you’ve landed, you can find a quality hotspot with JiWire Wi-Fi Finder. The free app shows you the best Wi-Fi networks and highlights the ones that are free. JiWire can save you money on roaming costs when you’re traveling abroad internationally.

Wherever you end up, there are also car service apps available for you to get around in style. Brian’s favorites are Uber, Sidecar, and Hailo. You simply request for someone to pick you up from wherever you are, and wait for the nearest driver to arrive. Black cars aren’t just for celebrities and the rich and famous anymore.

This summer he’s off to Croatia and Dublin in business class for about $30 using British Airways miles.